AFL Grand Final 2018: Eagles fans set to fly to Melbourne

Eagles fans plan trip east

VideoWest Coast fans are preparing to fork out to fly to Melbourne for the Grand Final.Video: AAPIMAGE

Planning to get to Melbourne for next week’s Grand Final?

Qantas has already scheduled an additional four flights each way while Jetstar is adding some 500 extra seats to ferry Eagle Fans to Melbourne for the big match against Collingwood.

But it will cost an arm and a leg to get to Melbourne by air – there’s five seats or less on the cheapest Qantas option for $463 on a Friday night flight. The majority of Friday flights are around the $1000 mark for one-way – and it’ll cost around $800 to return on the Sunday.

Direct flights earlier in the week to Melbourne start at $483 on Tuesday and climb to $767 by Wednesday with Qantas.

Luke Shuey hurt his foot in the second term but came back on to have an impact.

The West Australian

VideoLuke Shuey hurt his foot in the second term but came back on to have an impact.

For those fans looking to save a few hundred dollars, flying Perth to Bali or Brisbane on Thursday and then flying into Melbourne on Friday is a cheaper option - but it means more time on planes and stopovers.

Jetstar is offering to get fans direct to Melbourne for just over $700 on Thursday and Friday, and $840 to get home on Sunday. That price drops down to $308 for fans happy to stay in Melbourne until Wednesday.

The post-game prices are a fair hike from the fares posted last Friday, which started with Jetstar at $480 one-way, Tigerair $524 and Qantas $587.

Jubilant West Coast players sing the song after booking their grand final spot with a dominant win over Melbourne.

The West Australian

VideoJubilant West Coast players sing the song after booking their grand final spot with a dominant win over Melbourne.

By three quarter time in the Eagles-Demons clash, the Airline Ratings website reported fares had already climbed by a few hundred dollars.

Virgin Australia, which committed to put on five extra services on Friday, is offering flights to Melbourne from $859 from Wednesday and around $1200 to return to Perth post-match.

For those fans who were confident the Eagles would make it to the Grand Final back in June, Qantas had offered a “Back Your Team” early-bird sale with Perth to Melbourne fares from $399 one way.

WATCH: Jack Darling's third goal of the day dribbled through to extend the Eagles' lead.

The West Australian

VideoWATCH: Jack Darling's third goal of the day dribbled through to extend the Eagles' lead.

A Qantas Group spokesperson said “we encourage fans to get in quick as we expect these flights to sell-out in the next few days”.

“This is always a busy time for flights as it normally coincides with school holidays and a long weekend.”

When Fremantle and West Coast made the AFL grand final in 2013 and 2015 respectively, more than 90 planes were involved in moving tens of thousands of footy supporters.

Fans are also looking to charter flights, with Facebook group Eagle Air Grand Final offering tickets from $1360, which includes flights and a chartered bus to and from Melbourne CBD.